Three position anti-clotting upright reclinable passenger seat

ABSTRACT

An automatic controlled Three Position Anti-clotting Upright Reclinable Passenger Seat Assembly which will allow the passenger to rest on a sloped reclining position with the extended legs which reduces the risk of blood clotting while providing a reclinable seat for reading as well as a safe seat for take-off and landing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

4,157,797 June 1979 Fox 244/122R 4,536,027 August 1985 Brennan 297/124 5,174,526 December 1992 Kanigowski 244/122R 5,556,167 September 1996 Johnson 297/423 5,628,547 August 1997 Matsumiya 297/354 5,636,898 June 1997 Dixon et al. 297/316 5,740,989 June 1998 Daines 244/118 6,227,489 July 2001 Kitamoto et al. 244/118.5 6,241,188 June 2001 Simpson et al. 244/122 6,276,635 August 2001 Ferry et al. 244/118.6

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention is not Federally Sponsored.

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

No appendix is attached.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of transportation and more specifically to a Three Position Anti-clotting Upright Reclinable Passenger Seat.

Most airlines passengers seats today only offer two basic positions a) take-off and landing and b) reading reclined position. Both seat positions are very tiring on long trips, especially for people fifty years old and older. For older people long flights become a deadly medical liability as the prolonged seating position causes a fatal clinical condition called “Deep Vein Thrombosis” (DVT) caused by blood clotting in the legs.

According to E. Library, an expert on DVT, “Blood clots may affect one in ten passengers”. With long flights, extending over two hours or intercontinental flights, there is an increase of DVT lawsuits from the flying population which clearly puts pressure on the airline industry to find an effective solution to promote a better passenger seat and or to eliminate, decrease or find a solution to the increasing amount of lawsuits brought to their steps because of this fatal affliction.

The deficiency on the current art of passenger seating is the fact that either seating position choice offered today is too tiring and crunched for long flights, and there is a need to stretch the legs for medical reasons as well as the idea of increasing comfort for passengers wanting to sleep and relax in a more reclinable position.

Most experts on the subject of Deep Vein Thrombosis agree that such blood clots seem to be on the rise affecting people of all ages and primarily affecting older (which is growing in number with the baby boomers) and high-risk people. So the advise from the experts to prevent this condition is to move around as much as possible as well as flex and stretch the legs during the flight.

This new invention promotes the reduction of DVT by allowing the passenger to adopt a more sloped and reclinable position and stretch out their legs during long flights, especially intercontinental flights.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the invention is to meet the safety transportation requirements for passenger seat regulations especially during take-off and landing while allowing the passengers have a less risk from the Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) point of view by providing a reclinable position.

Secondary objective of the invention is to provide a more comfortable method for naturally extending the legs on long trips to reduce the risk of DVT as well as to providing more restful sleeping and a comfortable alternative than the present two positions seating available today on long flights.

Another object of the invention is the better utilization of the regular or same amount of space available today for the regular two position seat in a more efficient manner and to use of the space available for today's long national or international flights, which, in turn, allows for the airlines to try to capture as much profit as possible.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic sequencing positioning mechanism that can be controlled via electric automatic controls or manually thru a manual crank 505. This crank is used primarily as a back up mechanism.

Other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 1 a, 1 b and 1 c.

According to the new invention, the new passenger seat is an apparatus which allows the passenger to chose any of the three positions for take-off and landing, for reading or rest seating and an upright reclinable stretched position for allowing the legs to be in a more natural position. The passenger thru the electrical controls or others and the positioning mechanisms is able to choose the position of the seat to his preference during the flight and during take-off and landing as per the applicable transportation regulations.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a disclosed a Three Position Anti-clotting Upright Reclinable Passenger Seat apparatus comprising of several members, those elements being the main seat base 100, the backrest 200, the sub-back seat 201, the seat pan 300, the foot rest 400 and the positioning mechanism of elements group 500. This three position seat will allow a person to rest and or sleep on a more natural sloped reclining position with the extended legs while providing a regular reclinable seat for reading as well as a up right safe seat position for take-off and landing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 a is a schematic view of the seat shown in the regular and known landing and take-off position.

FIG. 1 b is a schematic view of the seat shown in the regular and known reading position.

FIG. 1 c is a schematic view of the newly invented seat in the reclining stretch position.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the main elements of the invention, the main seat base element 100, the seat back element 200, the sub seat back element 201, the seat pan element 300, and the leg rest element 400. It also shows elements 302, 304, 402 and 207 which are the main forces acting out the positioning of the sub back seat 201 and the pan seat element 300 to attain the herein three seat positions. Sub back seat elements 201 attached at the lower end and the seat pan element 300 attached at the upper end are anchored to a horizontal longitudinal hinged 206 of the length of the elements to provide union and hinged action when transitioning from reading to upright reclinable position and back.

The sub back seat element 201 is anchored at the upper end by a horizontal longitudinal bar element 205 and seat pan element 300 is anchored at the bottom by element 302.

Element 302 hinged at position 303 and moved by element 510 provides the upward and downward vector force to move and position seat pan element 300 as desired. Element 207 is a spring which compresses during the take-off and landing position and expands and helps the sub back element 201 to go to the upright reclinable positioning by expanding.

Seat pan element 300 is connected at the lower end to a horizontal longitudinal bar element 301 which is supported at the bottom by element 304. Element 304 hinged at position 301 and moved by element 305 provides the upward and downward vector force to move the seat pan element 300 as desired to obtain the desired position.

FIG. 2 is a schematic detailed view showing the main components of the invention in the upright reclinable position. Please notice that spring element 207 is in the relaxed expanded position during the upright reclinable position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the seat in the landing and take-off position. Please notice a spring element 207 in the compressed mode.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the seat in the reading position. Please notice that spring element 207 is still in the compressed mode.

FIG. 5 is a front and top view schematic of main seat frame 100 with a motorized as well as manual positioning multi element mechanism 500. The manual crank element 505 is a manual backup system to rotate shaft element 500.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the invention, FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c shows schematically the relative position of a row of seats and particularly the new upright reclining position in FIG. 1 c. The upright reclining position (FIG. 1 c) demonstrates the legs in a more naturally stretched position which promotes the anti-clotting feature desired for the elimination of the fatal risk of a deadly malady called Deep Vein Thrombosis or also known as DVT.

FIG. 1 shows a dynamic schematic view of the acting forces which position the seat pan 300, the sub seat back 201 and the footrest 400 in an upright reclining position. The operative forces provided by elements 302, 304, 402 and the compressed force of the spring element 207 are the acting forces which provide easy transition from the reading position to the upright reclinable position. These actuation elements are shown controlled electrically or manual thru a multi element mechanism shown in FIG. 5 as element 500 and others. These forces, actions and positioning can be obtained by a multitude of combinations of electromechanical devices.

Similarly and relative to the position force, the sub back seat element, FIGS. 3 and 4 shows the spring element in a compressed position holding compressed energy ready to be release to help for the upright reclining positioning.

Limiting the positioning of the back seat element 200 for the take-off landing position and the reading reclined position, FIG. 4 shows rubber or plastic or other material stop elements 101 and 102. These elements provide the limits for the take-off landing and reading position of back seat element 300.

The multiple device mechanism required or a sample of the mechanism required

The multiple device mechanism required or a sample of the mechanism required for the positioning of the back seat element 200, the sub seat back element 201 and the seat pan element 300 is shown in FIG. 5.

The threaded shaft element 500 is threaded in two sections in such manner that when rotated clockwise by the electrical motor 502 or the manual crank 505 will force element 509 first to move in a horizontal to the right and stop and then upon further rotation move elements 506, 510, 501 to travel right in a horizontal manner and stop, the same threaded shaft element 500 can be rotated counter-clockwise to provide a reverse action sequencing.

By rotating element 500 clockwise will force element 509 to move the seat back element 200 and 201 left to right by pushing on element 204 until limited by stop limit 102, this will transition element 200 and 201 from a take-off to a reading position. Further clockwise rotation of the element 500 will force to continue to move element 510 right and 506 to move rightward. The motion of element 510 right produces an upward forced motion on element 302 which creates a horizontal vector force to move element 303 which positions the seat pan 300 and sub back seat 201 in an upright reclinable position as shown on FIG. 1 c. Element 207 which is a compressed spring will provide an upward force motion also to pull element 201 into position. Similarly element 305 will force element 304 to lift seat pan 300 to a higher position and to provide a laying down alignment between the sub back seat 201 and the seat pan element 300 to provide the resting surface to the passenger.

For obtaining a reverse lower position of the seat assembly, the counter clock rotation of the threaded shaft 500 will reverse the sequencing in a perfect right to left order such as upright reclinable position to reading to landing position. Starting at the upright reclinable and initiating the counter clockwise rotation of the element 500 position will force to move element 510 and 506 to move leftward. The motion of element 510 left will produce a forced motion on element 302 which decreases the horizontal vector force to move element 303 downward as shown on FIG. 1 b which positions the seat to go to a reading position. This counter clock rotation will also lower the seat pan element 300 thru element 304 to a reading position.

Continuing to rotate element 500 counter clockwise, from the reading position, will force element 506 to the left which will push on element 203 leftward forcing element 200 leftward until limited by stop limit 101, this will transition the back seat element 200 and the seat pan element 300 assembly to a take-off position.

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms particularly the electro mechanical mechanisms which can be obtained using a multiple of other electrical or mechanical or hydraulic or other means of providing the desired forces and positioning of the different assemblies and subassemblies. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Although the invention is particularly applicable to aircraft passenger seats, it may also be applied to other seats used in general transportation for land or sea. 

1. A seating apparatus called a Three Position Anti-clotting Upright Reclinable Passenger Seat comprising of the following assemblies: a main seat frame, a back seat, a sub back seat, a seat pan, a footrest and an automatic system of mechanisms and controls to position the back seat, the sub back seat and the seat pan assemblies to obtain three different positions, one of which allows passengers to extend the legs in a sloped naturally manner to minimize the fatal clotting in the legs caused by long extended trips.
 2. The back seat assembly as per claim 1 above which is supported at the bottom at the main seat frame assembly and it is allowed to swivel within the two stop limits (back and forward) to provide the back support for take-off and the reading position.
 3. The back seat assembly as per claim 2 which can be swiveled at the bottom and it is made out of two separate assemblies, a back seat assembly and a sub back seat assembly.
 4. The back seat assembly as per claim 2 which supports the sub back seat assembly by a longitudinal horizontal bar at the top allowing the back seat and the sub back seat assemblies to swivel upwards in a rising manner.
 5. The sub back seat assembly as per claim 1 which is concealed within the back seat assembly during take off and reading positions.
 6. The sub back seat assembly as per claim 1 which is supported and hinged at the top together with the back seat assembly; and it is supported and hinged at the bottom to the seat pan assembly to provide, once raised, a coplanar flat platform to provide a resting, comfortable surface.
 7. The seat pan assembly as per claim 1 supported at the front edge and the back edge by two pairs of raising able actuator members attached to the main seat frame. The seat pan assembly is raised up and down by the positioning mechanism wich is anchored to the main seat frame.
 8. The seat pan assembly as per claim 7 which is raised and tilted during the accomplishing of the upright reclinable position to provide a coplanar flat platform which forms a continuous resting, comfortable surface with the sub back seat assembly.
 9. The actuating raise able support members in claim 7 which control the raising and lowering of the both the sub back seat and the seat pan assemblies.
 10. The foot rest assembly as per claim 1 which is fully extended in the upright position which allows the passenger to rest the feet comfortably in the upright reclinable position.
 11. A take-off and landing position of the assembly of claim 1 where the back seat (hinged at the bottom edge) and the seat pan (hinged at the back edge) assemblies are hinged connected to each other and positioned slightly open by more than ninety degrees to each other.
 12. A reading or slightly reclined position of the seat assembly of claim 1 where the back seat (hinged at the bottom edge) and the seat pan (hinged at the back edge) are hinged connected to each other and positioned in a more tilted position from each other and in a considerably more open manner than ninety degrees angle fashion to provide the reading position of the seat assembly.
 13. A upright sloped reclinable resting position of the assembly of claim 1 where the sub back seat assembly, the seat pan assembly and the foot rest are raised and aligned to each other in such manner to provide a straight and sloped cushioned surface to provide a restful, comfortable platform for sleeping and resting in an upright reclinable position which allows the legs to be stretched.
 14. An upright sloped reclinable resting position of the seat assembly of claim 13 which maximizes horizontal space allocated for the reading position.
 15. The coordinated sequences, mechanisms and the actuation to control the sequencing of the raising and lowering of the back seat, the seat pan and the foot rest assemblies in unison and in a coordinated manner as per claims 11, 12, 13 and
 14. 16. The controls and actuation required for obtaining the three positions expressed in claims 11, 12, 13 and 14, those being electrical, mechanical or otherwise which will allow the positioning of the seat assemblies in claim 1 in three different positions those being: a) take off and landing, b) reading or slightly reclined and c) a raised upright reclined position.
 17. The methods, sequences, controls, assemblies and subassemblies part of this apparatus required to obtain the claims 11, 12, 13 and 14 which will allow a person to travel and rest on a raised comfortable upright reclining position with the extended legs in flatter position for resting, a reading position as well as a safe seat position for take-off and landing
 18. The mechanisms, the electrical or electronic controls and the electrical hardness and switching to attain the sequencing of the seat assembly to the various positions starting at the take-off position, to the resting position to the upright reclaimable position and to reverse that order. 